Over MVR 200 million has had disbursed as income support allowances up until December 24.

Latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance revealed that a total of 48,258 applications for allowances were received, and the ministry had issued allowances to a total of 16,469 individuals and households affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic by Sunday.

The total funds disbursed as income support allowances reaches MVR 207.7 million.

Over the one-week review period up until December 24, MVR 38.9 million was disbursed for the implementation of the income support allowances and the ministry said that MVR 27.4 million was also disbursed for discounts on electricity bills.

Introduced under the government’s economic relief package following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the income support allowance is being issued since May 20.

A monthly income of MVR 5,000 is provided under specific conditions. Those who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs are eligible for the allowance. This includes individuals in probation and temporary positions.

The goal of the economic relief package was to ensure job continuity for Maldivians, at a time large-scale terminations and wage cuts have taken place.

Authorities decided to continue issuing income support allowances until the end of the ongoing year, although it was initially to be issued for a three-month period.

A total of MVR 45,000 is provided under the nine-month allowance, between April to December. It aims to provide financial assistance to those who have had their lives and income affected by the pandemic and are unable to meet essential needs such as settling rent payments and others. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by December 1, 2019.

To apply, individuals have been urged to report their employment situation, if affected by the pandemic, on the online form found on the Job Center website. Users are required to sign up for an eFaas account.